Apparatus for treating tires



Jan. 6, 1942. F. WIKLE 2,269,137

APPARATUS FOR TREATING TIRES 3 Filed April 12, 1940 4 5 Shets-Shee tv 1 Q I I Q 7 I @Z Q I m v 69 2 7 III 48 O O V V I V lily Q? 45 w C U o o I' I 12'; Q Q "T o o H L w u LLI u u u 1/ 9 H INVENPOR. GEORGE F! WIKLE ATTORNEY' Jan. 6,1942 7 G, WIKLE Q 2,269,137

APPARATUS FOR TREATING T I RES I Filed April 12, 194 0" SShe tS-Sh eet 2' INVENTOR. GEORGE F. WIKLE A TTORNEY BYM$W Jam. 6, 1942,

G. F.- WIKLE V APPARATUS FOR I REA'I'ING TIRES Filed April 12, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet s Jan. 6, 1 942.

s. F; WIKLE APPARATUS FOR TREATING TIRES V Filed April 12,1940

All"

/f/7 'WA) INVENTOR. GEORGE F. WIKLE.

' ATTORNEY Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 6, 1942 APPARATUS FOR rana'rm rutns' George F. wikle, A m Arbor, Mich., assignor a v United States Rubber Company, New York,

N. Y., a corporation of New. Jerse Application April 12,1940; Serial No. 329,252

8 Claims. (c1.1's4-'-4s)fl V This invention relates to an apparatus for treating tires, and, in particular, it, relates to an apparatus for forming slits or incisions-in the tread portion of pneumatic tires.

It has been found that slits or incisions formed 'intire treads function effectively as gripping 'flngei's forresisting skidding of avehicle on which such tires are applied. 77 The present invention constitutes a commercial apparatus for forming -such slits. In geneiaL'the invention consists of means for rotatably supporting a tireinfcom 'bination with slitting means, and rigid means will appear in the following detailed description considered in connection withtheaccompany ing drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a planview of an embodiment ofmy invention; a. p a I Fig. 2, is a side elevationalview thereof;

Fig. 3 is a transverse view, in section, taken along section line III- H1 of Fig. 1;

4 is a transverse view,'in section, taken along the section line IV -IV of'Fig. 2; I

Fig. 5 is a detail view of a tire support drive, in section, taken along section line"V V of i -1;

Fig-6 is a' view, in'section, of a mechanism for forming slits in'a tire tread, the section being taken along section line VI-VI of Fig? 1;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view, in section, of slitting blades and a support therefor;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged end elevational view of the slitting bar, illustrating the relative positions of the knife blades; and a Fig. 9. is a perspective view, in section, of a,

portion of a pneumatic tire treated in accordance with the apparatus disclosed herein such tire per se being disclosed in the patent to Havens No.

' Referring to the drawings, and, in particular, to'Fig. 1, 1 show, as an'embodiment of my inven" tion, a form of apparatus for slitting treads of pneumatic tires. For convenience this appara tus may be divided into two principal divisions land 2,"the reference character l'den'oting a tire supporting means, and the character 2 denoting reciprocating means for producing'slits in a tire tread. As shown in Fig. 2, the entire mechanismis supported by a base frame! in which an over-hanging portion 4 provides a frame for the tire supporting.means I. The means I for supporting the tire is provided intheform of a plurality of segments 5 (Fig. 3) adapted to of the spring H. v 1 "Forming an integral part of the flange 8 is a engage with one of the bead portions of a pneumatic tirei. A projecting portion 1 on each of the segments; locates the vertical'position of the tire 6'. The segments 5 are'movable radially in award and outward, in order'to release and to grip the pneumatic tire and to permit the segments to engage with tires having different rim diameters. The segments 5' rest upon and are supported by a flange 8 which is provided'with I recesses 11 forthe reception of thesegments 5- and for guiding them i in 1 their radial movement.

A plate 9 secured'to the upper portion of the flange 8 confines-the segments to 'a radial movement. In order'to maintain the'segments in their; collapsed or receded positions;'an annular spring Ill erfciroles the periphery of the segmentsin'a notch I I provided therefor. The ac tion of the spring maintainsthesegments in an inward'position and'in contact ehgagem'entwith a' centr'a ll y disposed cammemberi I2." fVertical movement ofithecam'i2 functions to move the segments to outward positions against the action downwardly extended cylindrical portion 1 3 having threads which engage a complementary threads on an enclosing 'drivingflange M. The purpose of the threaded connection between'the extended'portion l3 and the driving flange I4 is to permit vertical adjustment of the segments ,5 for the purpose of accommodating different sized tires. During' ordinary'operation'the extended portion l 3; is locked with the driving flange l4. Thi's'is accomplished by a latch member l.5 pivoted'to a bracket [6 extending from the flange 8. The latch member l5 engages a slot or keyway I! formedin the driving flange H. A spring 18 normally maintains the latch l5in locking engagement with the slot, I1, I When'adjustment is*desired, the latch I 5 is disengaged'from the slot I] and through the threadson the extended portion I3 and on the driving flange ll the vertical position of the tire supporting segments 5*may be controlled. This adjustment,isconcernedwith only the cross-sectional size of the tire.

As shown in' Fig. 3 a worm ring gear 19 ate taohed' to the flange [4 by 'bolts"2 0 provides 'means through which the {flange 14 may be in tated.[ A'worm 21 is keyed to a' shaft 22 rotat ably carried ,by a bracket 23 (Fig. 4) which, in turn, is boltedto the frame 4, and engages with the worm ring gear 19. The shaft 22 is driven by means hereinafter described, I

Keyed or held in pressed engagement with the frame 4 is a vertical sleeve. 24. In order to maintain the driving flange l4 immovable vertically, a thrust bearing 25 is located around the vertical sleeve 24 and at the top central portion of the flange l4. A'split collar 26;sec ured to the ver tical sleeve 24 rests against the thrust bearing provide clearance through which the cross rod 28 extends. The purpose of the cross bar 28 is to engage with the cam I2 and to cause it to move in a vertical path for'actuating the-segments 5 in their radial paths. A retaining plate 38 locks the cross bar 28 in engagement with the cam l2. To take the load of the cam |2 as it is rotatably supported by the cross bar 28, a thrust bearing 3| is located between the cam l2 and the cross bar 28. In order to insure rotary movement of the cam |2 with the segments 5, a key 32 is rigidly fastened to the inner wall of the extended portion l3 and a slot 33 is provided inthe cam I2 for the reception of the key 32. This arrangement permits vertical movement of the cam |2 in relation to the flange 8 and its extended portion I3.

The threaded rod 21 is associated in complementary engagement with a threaded sleeve 34, the purpose of which is to form a continuation of the threaded rod 21 while at the same time permitting in effect an adjustment of its length. A hand wheel 35 placed at the lower end of the sleeve 34 provides manual means for adjustment of the length of the rod 21, thereby varying the vertical height of the cam |2 to compensate for different sizes of tires. A pin 35 pressed in the lower part of the frame 4 slidably engages the hand wheel 35 in order tomaintain the relative position of the hand wheel 35. Adjustment of the hand wheel may be made when the hand wheel is in its lowermost position caused by actuation of an air cylinder 31. A piston rod 35 extending from the cylinder 31 forms a rotatable connection with the hand wheel 35, and a bracket 39 fastened to the lower portion of the frame 4 supports the cylinder 31. A conventional valve mechanism 40 having foot pedals 4| and 42 cooperating therewith permits actuation of the cylinder 31 through the conduits 43 and 43. Actuation of the foot pedal 42 maintains the cam l2 in its upward engaged position, whereas actuation of the foot pedal 4| causes the cam l2 to recede to its lowermost position.

At the uppermost portion of the sleeve 24 is a plug 44 rotatably mounted therein. To this plug, as shown in Fig. '2, an arm 45 is attached,

the end of which arm is provided with a shoe 45. This shoe is positioned in a fixed relation within the tire carcass and functions as an anvil or support for resisting the impact of the cutting mechanism 2 hereinafter described.

Means for operating the cutting mechanism 2 is located within a housing 41 mounted on the main frame 3. As shown particularly in Fig. 4, the housing 41 supports a drive shaft 48 by means of bearings 49 and 50. Keyed at the end of the shaft 48 and within the housing 41 is a crank arm 5| which engages a connecting rod 52 (Fig. 6) pivotally associated with a slidable piston 53. A counter balance 54 extending from the hub of the crank arm 5| maintains the balance of the assembly. A portion 55 of the housing 41 operates as a cylinder within which the piston 53 is reciprocated. Connected to the end of the piston 53 is a bracket 55 (Fig. 7) to which a plate 51 is disengageably secured. A plurality 51 by means of threaded portions 53 which form a part of each knife blade58. A set screw 58 locks each threaded portion 59 in a fixed position. Different bars or plates such as 51 may be provided for accommodating different sized tires or for forming different arrangements for sizes of slits. An example of one form of arrangement of slits is shown in Fig. 8 in which the knife blades are positioned at an angle of of knife blades 58 are supported by the plate 75 degrees to the vertical, adjacent blades being oppositely inclined. In Figs. 7 it is noted that the shoe 45, which is maintained in a. fixed position and upon which the tire 5 slides as it is rotated, maintains a rigid support or backing to resist impact of the reciprocating movement of the knife blades 58. A shield or guard 5| laterally encloses the reciprocating knife blades 58 merely as a matter of protection for the operator.

A pair of guides 52 and 53 attached to a plate 18 (Fig. 2) adjustably supported by the guard 5| slidably engage the outer grooves of the tire 5 for assisting in maintainingthe tire 5 in a proper horizontal position relative to the knife blades 58.

Referring to Fig. 4, the shaft 48 is connected to a motor 54 through a universal coupling 55. Keyed to the shaft 48 is a special worm gear 55 which includes straight portions 51 for the purpose of producing a drive which is intermittent in operation. In other words, the worm gear 55 functions in part as a cam to produce increments of rotary motion to a gear 58. Gear 58 is keyed to a shaft 59 supported by the housing 41. This shaft provides a drive for rotating the tire supporting means as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. The bracket 23 (Fig. 5) fastened to the frame member 4 provides a bearing for the end of the shaft 59. Associated with the end of the shaft 59 is a gear 10 which meshes with a gear 1| keyed to the shaft 22 which supports the worm 2|.

By this arrangement the motor 54 rotates con-' tinuously causing a continual reciprocating motion of the knife blades, and through the medium of the cam gear 55 increments of rotary motion are imparted to the tire supporting means in such a manner that the cuts or incisions in. as shown in Fig. 9, are formed in the tire tread during each short interval the tire supporting means remains at rest. This cooperative relationship between the slitting and tire support driving means enables the slitting operation to be carried out at relatively high speeds. For example, in actual practice the slitting operation functions at the rate of 777 strokes per minute, each stroke producing four separate slits in the tire tread.

'In the operation of the apparatus the tire supporting means is originally in its collapsed state and the knife blades are in their receded position. The operator moves the arm 45 and shoe 45 to a position as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. In this location the tire is easily placed over the shoe and the bead portions of the tire are positioned on the supporting segments 5. The operator presses the foot pedal 42 to cause an upward movement of the cam l2, thereby expanding the segments 5 and rigidly supporting the tire 8. Thereafter the operator swings the arm 45 into position in alignment with the knife blades 58. An adjustable stop member I2 located on top of the vertical sleeve 24 maintains in combination with the rotary movement of the tire 5 the arm '45 in its proper relative position in alignment with the knife blades. A manual startingswitch 12a actuated by the operator for settingvi the apparatus'in motion, When the tire 6 has made one complete revolution, a cam 13 ('Fig; 2) located at the under side of the flange I4 engages with a cut-off-switch.attached tothe frame 4 to stop the turningmovement. 'Asshown Fig- 1, a conduit communicate's'fbetween,the-{cutoff switch "and a mechanism '16 forming a part of the motor 64. *This mechanism" I6 may be'in' the form of a magnetic brake which besides cutting off the pbwerfto the motorlil willcau'se, the mechanism to cease rotating substantially in stantaneously,

From the foregoing description it is believed apparent that I have ,provided' afnovelconstrue-H .tion and arrangement forjthe commercial o'pera tion' of forming slitsin tire treads, and while I have' described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood tliat'other"modi fications may 'be appropriated; except asxrestricted by the scope'ofithe appended claims. r

Having thus shown: and described my invention, what I claimand desire::to protect. ,by Letters Patent is:

porting a tire, a cutter support, at least one knife blade attached tothe-support, driving means for moving the cutter support reciprocally and continuously in a predetermined path radially of the a tire, means cooperating with the 'cutterdriving means for rotating the tir support during a poring cutter support, a rigid backin g'lying within the tire casing andadap e l to support the tire against the knife thrust,'manual means for starting the slitting operation, and automatic means upon a complete tire, a chuck adapted to-supportthetire in a horizontal plane and in'the path of, the knife blade comprising a plurality of radiallymovable jaws positioned to engage thelow'ermostntire bead,- a vertically movable cam for'moving the jaws outwardly, and meansfor vertically adjusting the height of the jaws. V

3; In an apparatus matic tires, a cutter support, at least oneknife blade att'achedto the support, positive means for moving the cutter support reciprocally and continuously in a predetermined path radially of the tire, a rigid backinglying ,within the' tire casing and adapted- "toEsupport the tire against the knife thrust, a chuck adapted to support the tire in ahorizontal plane and in the path of; the knife blade comprising a "plurality ofradially movable jaws positioned to' engage the lowermost tire bead, and a verticallymovable cam for movingthe'jaws outwardly. v v

4. In an apparatus for slitting'treads of pneumatic. tires, a cutter "support. at least one knife blade attached to the support, driving means for moving the vcutter support reciprocally and continuously in a predeterminedpath radiallyof the.

Mia-means cooperating with thebutter driving 1. An apparatus for slitting treads ofjpneu-g; matic tires comprising means for rotatably supfor slittingitre'ads ap ea v v 3 means for rotating the tire support 'duringthe backward stroke of-thereciprocally moving-cut terfisupport a'rigid-backing lying within the lowermost" tire bead, and; a -vertically movable cam for movingi-theiaws-outwardlyr I I 5. 1 In: an apparatus for slittingzlreads of 'p'neu matic. tires,. means; for rotatabiy a tire; means. for imparting increments of-"rotary motion to the tire supporting meanspa} cutter support, at least one knife blade'attached to the support, a crank arm; a drivetherefdffohmdfliik the cutter support reciprocally and continuom in afr'iz'ttiijradially ofthe tire,said means rosin tatably supporting'fthe tire' comprising a chuck adapted to supportthe tire in a horizontal plane and in thepath'of the knife blade,-.a plurality of radially movable jaws positionedto engage'the lowermost tirefbead, and a ,vertically;movab1e cam, for moving the Jaws outwardly. L Y

6.; In an apparatus for slittingtreads of pneug matic tires, means for rotatably supporting a tire, means for imparting increments of rotary motion to the tire supporting meansg- 'a cutter support, atleast oneknife blade attached to'the support, a crank arm anda drive thereforfformoving: the cutter support reciprocally and' con-1 -tion of the strokecycle of the reciprocallymov tinuouslyzin a path-radially of the tir'e, a rigid backing lying within the tire casing and adapted to support the tire againstthe knife thrust, said means-for.rotatably'supporting the tire comprisinga chuck adapted to support the tire in a horizontal plane and in the. path .of the knife blade, a plurality'j-of radially; movable .jaws positioned to engage the lowermost tire beadg'and' a verticallymovable cam for movingthe *J'aws outwardly;

7. Inan apparatus for'slitting'treads of pneumatic -tires, means for rotatably supporting a tire, means for; imparting-increments of rotary motion" to the gtire' supportingl means,; a cutter support, atleast one knife blade attached to the' support, a crank-arm and a (drive therefor, for moving the cutter? support reciprocallyaand con-'- tinuously in a path radially-ofthe' tire, a rigid backing .,1ying within the tire casing andadapted' to support the tire v against the 3 knife thrust, manual means for startingthe slitting operation and-automatic means forstopping the operation upon a complete revolution of the tire .jsupport, saidmeans. for rotatably supporting the tire comprising a chuckadapted to'support the tire in .a horizontal plane andin' the pathof the knife blade, aplurality of radially movablejaws 

